8. The Best Thing

I couldn't help but let out a few tears as I helped Alanna drag her two bags into her house. She was leaving me. She was leaving my care.

It smelled like fresh-baked cookies inside.

Alanna led me up the stairs towards her room. We passed a red door, small talk flowing out of the small space between the door and the floor.

"Don't mind them - my sister and her boyfriend." Alanna turned and smiled at me, her gorgeous white teeth peeking out, brightening up the entire hallway. "He's always at our house." It took me a moment to realize that she was talking about the boyfriend. I imagined myself - and Alanna, of course - here, in her house, all the time. Talking - talking about nothing - smiling constantly. My lips would chap, as a result of her making me so nervous, and she would touch them with her own lips, not minding the dryness. Her own lips would bring bring back the moisture to my lips.

I shook my head, escaping the daydream, to Alanna staring at me, her tongue between her teeth, in a playful gesture. Her hand waved, signaling me to enter her small room. I followed her directions, as if she were a queen; my queen.

My phone rang. And I slowly slipped the iPhone 5 out of my pocket and answered, "Hello?"

"Niall?" the voice on the other end questioned.

"Yes, mum?"

"I hope you're packed. I realize you haven't been home in a while, taking care of Alanna - whoever she may be - but your flight leaves tomorrow, at noon. Please be ready and at the gate. I,ll be waiting for you there."

"Okay."

"And I also set up your meeting. With the guy from the courthouse? Please make sure you pack a nice suit. I want it to be cleaned, ironed and ready to go."

"Yes, mum. But I don't have a suit."

"I know. That's why I ordered one for you. It's black, and there's a red-and-white striped tie that comes with it."

"Okay, mum. I get it. Thank you. I have to go now."

"I know, I know. I'm sorry. It's just that I'm so proud of you for doing this and it's a really nice thing. I love you, Nialler."

"Love you, too, mother."

I hung up, and looked at Alanna. Alanna stared at me, her eyes watering.

"What's wrong, love?"

"I know what's happening."

"What?"

"You are leaving me. You are going to England. You will forget all about me and I'll never see you again, and I mean - I guess - I just love you so much, and I just don't want you to leave me. You are the best thing that has ever happened to me, and I mean it. You saved me life, you--"

I stopped her little rant and embrace her in my arms, concealing her into warmth. When she stopped sobbing, she rose her head to look into my eyes. She opened her mouth to say something, but I cut her off with a kiss.